Marco Kutscher Injured During Grand Prix of Rome

arco Kutscher and Van Gogh jumping a clean Round 1 in the Grand Prix of Rome, May 29th, 2016.

Marco Kutscher and Van Gogh jumping a clean Round 1 in the Grand Prix of Rome, May 29th, 2016.-->

Marco Kutscher of Germany was transported out of the arena in an ambulance after falling from his horse during the €200,000 Grand Prix of Rome on Sunday, May 29th, 2016 at the Piazza Di Siena CSIO5* in Rome, Italy.

Kutscher rode the 14-year-old KWPN stallion Van Gogh (Numero Uno X Bernstein) clear in Round 1 of the Grand Grix to qualify for Round 2. He was galloping from a left hand turn to a 1.60m oxer, the third obstacle on course, when a misjudgment of the distance resulted in the horse stumbling through the oxer. Both horse and rider fell to the ground, and Kutscher was temporarily trapped underneath Van Gogh as the horse rolled onto his back, and struggled to roll onto his side and right himself. Van Gogh stood up and appeared uninjured, and was led out of the arena by his groom.

After a delay of approximately 15 minutes during which he was attended to by medical personnel and show officials, Kutscher left the arena on a stretcher reporting pain in his neck and head. Show organizers later confirmed that Kutscher was conscious and had not suffered a break to his leg or hip as initially feared. He was transported immediately to hospital to receive a complete examination.

UPDATE May 30th 1:59pmUTC: After spending the night in observation, Marco Kutscher checked out of the hospital on Monday, May 30th with plans to return home to Germany. He is reported to have suffered no broken bones or internal injuries during the fall, and aside from a few cuts and scrapes, he is in good shape.